MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THE DEBATE ON CANNED LION HUNTING IN THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT.

9 February, 2015Reported in Hansard - the official record of Parliamentary debate.

Jason Wood MP: I spoke in this place in May last year about the appalling practice of canned hunting and today I rise with the knowledge that my words back then are resonating increasingly in our community, in our parliament and around the world. People see this practice, as I do, as cruel and barbaric. Many believe that hunting of endangered species has economic and conservation benefits for countries involved. This is simply false. A report written by Melbourne economist Roderick Campbell from Economists at Large showed that revenue from trophy hunting represented only two per cent of tourism in Africa and that this tourism revenue is only a small fraction, considering that it is $200 million whereas the economy is $408 billion. Sadly, there are only 7,000 to 8,000 lions left in captivity, 160 of these in privately owned canned hunting reserves.Mr Entsch MP: It is not often we quote a thrash metal band in this chamber, but Megadeth's song, Countdown to Extinction, highlights the practice perfectly:"Endangered species, caged in fright Shot in cold blood, no chance to fight The stage is set, now pay the price An ego boost, don't think twice Technology, the battle's unfair You pull the hammer without a care Squeeze the trigger that makes you 'Man' Pseudo-safari, the hunt is canned"Ms Parke MP: I believe that canned hunting is another example of animal cruelty in which Australia is currently complicit by allowing the importation of hunting trophies. By not acting to prevent the importation of hunting trophies, we are effectively supporting an activity which is both cruel and unethical, a form of barbarism that has a direct impact on endangered species we have committed to protect.Mrs Prentice MP: Frankly, I call this sport un-Australian. Australians pride themselves on living by the creed of a fair go. Where is the fair go for these animals?Ms Hall MP: Trophy hunters are attracted to a situation where the animal is in an enclosed space and has some level of trust of human beings. I am not a person who supports hunting, but, to my way of thinking, this is quite a brutal and inhumane-- Interjection by an honourable member: Cowardly. Ms HALL: - and cowardly attack on defenceless animals.Mr Kelvin Thomson MP: It is barbaric killing for macabre trophies. The idea of killing animals for sport is frankly barbaric and medieval but, if people really want to do it, then at least we should have a level playing field. The lions have teeth and claws; so give the hunter an appropriately sized knife and fire up the lions a bit before the contest by not feeding them for a couple of days. That would be fairer.

I'm gratified that our Australian federal politicians are debating the cruelty and barbarism of Canned Lion Hunting, along with the subsequent issues of banning the importation of hunting trophies.
Much gratitude must go to Jason Wood MP, who has been very vigilant and active in pushing this matter forward and thus creating an awareness within Australian parliamentary circles.

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Jude Price

2/15/2015 04:18:18 pm

Thanks one and all for speaking to this issue in that place. You are bloody terrific!

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Eliza Turbet

2/24/2015 06:29:11 pm

I am pleased to see Australian politicians taking notice of the canned hunting industry. We all play our part and every voice counts.